International actors
Tracking developments of international actors in Libya’s security space including military activity, the presence of foreign operatives and diplomacy pertaining to Libya’s security.
Trabelsi discusses security cooperation with Italian counterpart in Rome
On 14 April, Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi met with his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi in Rome in the framework of promoting mutual security cooperation between the two countries. The two sides addressed the situation of...
Saddam Haftar holds ‘constructive talks’ with senior military officers in Jordan
On 12 April, Libyan National Army (LNA) Deputy Commander Saddam Haftar arrived in Jordan for an official visit, holding ‘constructive talks’ with Major General Yousef Al-Hunaiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces, along with a number...
Flintlock 2026 kicks off in Sirte as US, Italy and Libya hail ‘historic milestone’
On 8 April, Libyan National Army (LNA) Deputy Commander Saddam Haftar said he received a phone call from US Senior Advisor Massad Boulos in which they discussed the preparations related to the component of the ‘Flintlock 2026’ exercise hosted by Libya. They affirmed...
UAE reportedly struggling to maintain air bridge to RSF in Sudan via Libya
According to OSINT sources, there appears to have been a sharp drop in suspicious cargo flights recorded between the UAE and Libya in recent months, with 20 flights in January, 6 in February and none in March. Satellite imagery points to a new smuggling route,...
Metagaz LNG tanker temporarily under control but still drifting in the Med
On 7 April, the heavily damaged Russian LPG tanker Arctic Metagaz was still drifting in the central Mediterranean. The ship was reported to be northwest of Benghazi, within Libya’s Search and Rescue (SAR) zone, being monitored by tenders and tugs at a distance but not...
GNU ramps up security engagement with international partners with focus on southern borders
On 5 April, the Acting Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army Lieutenant General Salahadeen al-Namroush, held talks in Tripoli with Sudan’s Military Intelligence Director, Lieutenant General Mohamed Sabir, on strengthening bilateral military and security ties. The meeting...
AFRICOM’s Operation Flintlock preparations underway
On 2 April, the Govenrment of National Unity (GNU) announced that AFRICOM’s Operation Flintlock, which is being hosted in Sirte for the first time, will begin in mid-April with the participation of African and European countries alongside international partners. The...
RFI claims 200 Ukrainians stationed in Libya attacked Arctic Metagaz tanker
On 2 April, Radio France International (RFI) revealed an “exclusive RFI investigation into a shadow war taking place on the African continent between Kyiv and Moscow, in Libya”. According to the widely quoted report, RFI has learned that Ukraine was responsible for...
Satellite images show at least three drones at al-Khadim airbase
On 2 April, Reuters reported that analysis indicates that the Libyan National Army (LNA) obtained a mix of Chinese and Turkish combat drones, despite the ongoing UN arms embargo. Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters revealed that at least three drones were present at...